Baseball holder



' May 11, 1965 J. A. DIX 3,183,000

BASEBALL HOLDER Filed Oct. 12, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 James A. Dix

IN VENTOR.

y 1, 1965 J. A. DIX 3,183,000

BASEBALL HOLDER Filed Oct. 12. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 James A. Dix

IN VENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,133,000 BASEBALL HOLDER James A. Dix, 280 State St, Clairton, Pa. Filed Oct; 12, 1962, Ser. No. 230,226 Claims. ((31. 27326) to provide a holder of the aforementioned character comprising a ball stand or T which is resilient and therefore yieldable and self-returningwhereby damage when struck with a bat will be avoided.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a baseball holder or T of the character set forth comprisingunique means for keeping a bat and a supply of balls conveniently at hand.

Still another important object is to provide, in a ball holder including a base and a resilient, yieldable stand or T, novel means for mounting said stand or T on said base. Another object is to provide a ball holder, T or stand which may be used by a player for practicing and improving his batting swing.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a baseball holder of the character set forth which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which maybe manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective viewof a baseball holder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional View, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan, looking URE 2; q

FlGURE 5 is a detail taining clamp; and

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view, showing the device ready to be transported with the resilient stand in folded or inoperative position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a stepped, generally frusto-conical base 7 of suitable dimensions and material. Secured at 8 on one of the intermediate steps of the base 7 is a plurality of upwardly and then inwardly extending metallic angle view in top plan of the bat rebrackets 9. A horizontal disk or top 10 is secured on the inner end portions of the brackets 9.

Mounted on the base7 is a yieldable stand or T which is designated generally by reference numeral 11. The stand or T 11 includes apost or standard 12in the form of a metallic coil the lower portion of which passes through a centrally located opening provided therefor in the disk or plate 10. The lower end portion of the standard or post 12 is anchored in the top portion of the base 7. Toward this end, the base 7 has formed therein a centrally located, downwardly opening chamber 13 having a reduced upper portion 14. An opening or bore in the top portion of the base 7 communicates with the portion 14 downwardly from the line 44 of FIG- Patented May .11, 1965 ofthe chamber 13. The lower portion of the resilient 'post 12 has fixed therein a depending stud 16 which extends downwardly into the portion 14 of the chamber 13 and has threaded thereon a retaining or anchoring nut 17. The lower portion of the post 12'-passes through a centrally apertured bearing plate 18 of suitable metal which issecuredon the topof the base7. A two part resilient post 12 and rests on the plate 18. Mounted on the upper end portion of the resilient post 12 is a cup or socket 20 for the reception of a ball, as indicated at 21. The lower portion of the resilient post 12 passes through a flared restraining sleeve or fitting 22 on the disk or plate 10 which prevents said post from being bent too acutely where it emerges from said disk or plate. The fitting 22 also assists the resilient post 12 in returning to an upright position.

Also secured on one of the intermediate steps of the base 7 is a plurality of circumferentially spaced upright bars or posts 23 of suitable metal. Mounted horizontally on the upper end portions of the bars or posts 23 is a metallic ring 24. Mounted on a pair of the angle brackets 9 in vertically spaced relation to the ring 24 is a ring segment or section 25. The members 23, 24, '25, etc., provide what may be considered a cage 26 for retaining a supply of the balls 21 on top of the base 7. If desired, the ring 24 may also be aflixed to the angle brackets 9. An opening is provided on each side of the third bracket '9 between the ring 24 and top plate 10 for access to balls 21 within the cage 26.

Mounted on the plate or disk 10 is a holder in the form of a clamp 27 for a bat 28. The clamp 27 includes a stationary or fixed jaw 29 in the form of an arcuate metal- -lic bar which is secured circumfe'rentially on the periphery of the disk or plate 10. The clamp 27 further includes a metallic plate 30 which is slidably secured on the underside of the disk 14). Toward this end, the plate .30, which is elongated (see FIGURE 3) has formed longitudinally therein a pair of spaced, parallel slots 31. The slots 31 receive screws 32 which slidably secure the plate 30 to the disk 10. Extending longitudinally into .the plate 30 from one end thereof is a slot 33 which accommodates the resilient post 12. Mounted transversely on the underside of the plate 30 is a flange 34. Mountled on the other end of the plate 30 is a movable jaw 35 which is cooperable with the stationary jaw 29 for receiving and gripping the bat 28 'therebetween. Coil springs 36 have one end anchored to the underside of the disk it at 37 and their other ends anchored at 38 to the end portions of the flange 34 for yieldingly'urging the jaw 35 toward the jaw 29. Mounted on the disk 10 and projecting upwardly and outwardly over the stationary jaw 29 is a flange or the like 39 which assists in retaining the bat 28 in the clamp 27. Projecting from one end of the stationary jaw 29 is an arm or finger 40 (FIGURE 5) which is engageable beneath the bat for further supporting same in the clamp. A handle in the form of 21 depending loop 41 is secured beneath the outer portion of the plate 30 for opening the jaw 35 against the tension of the springs 36. Mounted on the jaw 35 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a retainer 42 for the resilient post 12 when said post is not in use. The retainer 42 is substantially W-shaped defining a notch or recess 43 for the reception of the post 12.

Fixed horizontally on the upper portion of one of the uprights or bars 23 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a hook 45 for the reception of the free end portion of the resilient post 12. An arcuate keeper 46 is pivotally mounted at 47 on the hook 45 for retaining the post '12 therein. The free end portion of the keeper 46 and the base portion of the hook 45 are provided with registrable openings or apertures 48 for receiving a pin or lock for securing said keeper in closed or operative position. The keeper 46 further includes an upturned free end portion providing an operating handle 49.

Mounted for swinging movement on the disk is a carrying handle 50. The handle 50 includes a bail 51 having its end portions pivot-ally secured at 52 on diametrically opposite sides of the disk 10. The handle 50 further includes a grip 53 on the bight portion of the bail 51. Mounted on one of the brackets 9 is a generally U- shaped stationary handle 54.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the device is carried to the desired location through the medium of the handles 50 and 54 and the base 7 is placed on the ground. The keeper 46 is then opened for allowing the resilient post 12 to be disengaged from the hook 45, said post immediately swinging upward to a vertical or operative position. The bat 28 is removed from the clamp or holder 27, a ball is removed from the cage 26 and placed in the cup and the device is ready for use. Of course, the batter knocks the ball 21 out of the cup in the direction of the desired infielder in an obvious manner. Also in an obvious manner the resiliency of the post 12 permits said post to yield and avoid being damaged it struck with the bat. As hereinbefore indicated, the device may also be used by a batter for practicing and improving his swing. The retainer 42 laterally stabilizes the intermediate portion of the resilient post 12 when said post is in the inoperative position of FIGURE 6 of the drawing. Also, the post 12, in turn, is adapted to function as a stop for preventing the jaw from being unintentionally opened sufficiently against the tension of the springs 36 to permit the bat 28 to fall out of the clamp 27. As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the handle 50 is adapted to rest on the handle 54. Thus, both handles are adapted to be gripped with one hand. When the device is carried in this manner the cage 26 hangs at an inclination and the balls 21 therein gravitate to the lower portion thereof. It will be noted that the cage assembly 26 provides a radial support for the resilient post 12 at a point above the top of the base 7.

T he foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A baseball practice device comprising a base, means defining an upwardly opening receptacle supported on the upper portion of said base, a top member spaced above and in vertical alignment with the receptacle, an upstanding resilient post having its lower end supported from said base and projecting upwardly from the upper surface of said top member, a ball-receiving cup on the upper end of said post, the spacing between the upper end of said receptacle and said top member defining an opening adapted to horizontally removably receive a plurality of baseballs therein, the lower end of said post being secured to said base, said top member having an opening therein through which said post projects, said receptacle being of .a size and shape in horizontal plan adapted to receive a plurality of baseballs spaced about the lower end of said post.

2. The combination of claim 1 including an upstanding sleeve secured to the upper surface of said top member through which said post extends, the upper end of said sleeve being flared and the lower end thereof snugly receiving said post.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said top member includes adjustable clamp means adapted to removably support a baseball bat therein. "4. A baseball practice device comprising a base, means defining an upwardly opening receptacle supported from the upper portion of said base, a top member spaced above and in vertical alignment with the receptacle, an upstanding resilient post having its lower end supported from said base and projecting upwardly from the upper surface of said top member, a ball-receiving cup on the upper end of said post, the spacing between the upper end of said receptacle and said top member defining an opening adapted to horizontally removably receive a plurality of baseballs therein, said receptacle including means defining a hook member projecting outwardly therefrom in which the upper end of said post may be removably engaged.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said receptacle includes means defining a vertically extending and out- Wardly opening notch in vertical alignment with said hook adapted to cradle the portion of said post adjacent the free end thereof when the latter is bent downwardly and engaged with said hook.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,726,817 9/29 Franklin 248X 2,527,906 10/50 Bennett et a1 273-26 

1. A BASEBALL PRACTICE DEVICE COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS DEFINING AN UPWARDLY OPENING RECEPTACLE SUPPORTED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BASE, A TOP MEMBER SPACED ABOVE AND IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECEPTACLE, AN UPSTANDING RESILIENT POST HAVING ITS LOWER END SUPPORTED FROM SAID BASE AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID TOP MEMBER, A BALL-RECEIVING CUP ON THE UPPER END OF SAID POST, THE SPACING BETWEEN THE UPPER END OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND SAID TOP MEMBER DEFINING AN OPENING ADAPTED TO HORIZONTALLY REMOVABLY RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF BASEBALLS THEREIN, THE LOWER END OF SAID POST BEING SECURED TO SAID BASE, SAID TOP MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN THROUGH WHICH SAID POST PROJECTS, SAID RECEPTACLE BEING OF A SIZE AND SHAPE IN HORIZONTAL PLAN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF BASEBALLS SPACED ABOUT THE LOWER END OF SAID POST. 